What Wine to Drink with a Tagine

Originating from North African countries, the tagine gets its name from the earthenware pot with a conical lid in which it is simmered. It comes in many variations, including those with meat (chicken, lamb, beef), fish, vegetables, or even seafood. The ingredients are slow-cooked with spices, herbs, vegetables, dried fruits, and olives, giving the tagine a unique blend of sweet and savory, as well as spicy flavors. What better way to enhance this delicious dish with its incredible diversity of flavors than with a good bottle of wine?

To choose the ideal wine for pairing with a tagine, it's important to consider the ingredients, spices, and texture of the dish. Fruity and spicy red wines, aromatic white wines, and rosés with red fruit notes are generally good choices depending on your recipe. For red wines, theLanguedoc-Roussillon and Rhône Valley offer strong options. For rosés and whites, Provence, the Loire, and Alsace are recommended.

The Guide to the Best Wine Pairings with a Tagine

• Lamb Tagine with Prunes and Almonds

  To complement this rich and flavorful dish, choose a powerful and spicy red wine from Languedoc-Roussillon, such as AOC Faugères or IGP Pays d’Oc. These round and warm wines, made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, showcase aromas of red and black fruits, spices, and garrigue, which pair beautifully with the flavors of lamb tagine.

• Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemon

  A crisp and aromatic white wine from AOC Alsace Riesling or an IGP Côtes de Gascogne will enhance this dish’s tangy and fruity flavors. These wines are characterized by citrus notes, flowers, and exotic fruit, highlighted by a pleasant acidity that adds a touch of freshness to the pairing.

• Vegetable Tagine with Spices

  If you prefer a vegetarian tagine, opt for an intense and fruity rosé, such as AOC Côtes de Provence or AOC Tavel. These rosés, with notes of red fruits, citrus (blood orange), and flowers, will harmonize perfectly with the vegetables and spices of the tagine.

• Fish Tagine with Vegetables and Lemon

  The flavors and texture of the fish call for a dry and mineral white wine. Choose a wine from AOC Chablis (Burgundy) or AOC Muscadet (Loire). These wines, with their mineral structure and aromas of lemon and white flowers, will echo the delicate flavors of the fish and vegetables, while adding a touch of liveliness to balance the spices in the tagine.

Whether it's a lamb tagine with prunes, chicken with olives, spiced vegetables, or fish with vegetables, we have the perfect wine to complement your recipe. At Avenue des Vins, we offer a wide selection of wines directly from the château or domain of your choice. Red wine, white wine, rosé, Crémant, or Champagne, discover our gems to pair with your tagine or any other recipe of your choice. Enjoy our top-quality cuvées with the best value for money delivered straight to your home.